Business Central and the Shift to Cloud
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central has been available as a fully cloud‑based solution since 2018. Prior to this, it was delivered solely as an on‑premise product under the Dynamics NAV and early Business Central branding.
In line with Microsoft’s long‑term direction, the sale of new on‑premise licences for Business Central ended on 1st February 2023. Since then, organisations have no longer been able to purchase new on‑premise licences and must adopt the cloud subscription model instead. Existing customers can continue to use their on‑premise systems, but only for the remainder of the product’s support lifecycle.
Support for Dynamics NAV ended in January 2023, meaning all NAV versions are now unsupported by Microsoft. While partner support may still be available, no security updates or regulatory fixes are provided by Microsoft itself, increasing operational and compliance risk over time.
Bridge to Cloud 3: The Current Microsoft Promotion
To support organisations still running Dynamics on‑premise solutions, Microsoft launched Bridge to Cloud 3 on 1st January 2026. This is the latest evolution of Microsoft’s cloud migration incentives and replaces all previous Bridge to the Cloud programmes.
Bridge to Cloud 3 is designed to help customers transition from legacy, perpetual‑licence Dynamics systems to Microsoft Dynamics 365 cloud applications, including Dynamics 365 Business Central, in a structured and commercially attractive way find out more here: Bridge to Cloud 3 promotion.
What Is Bridge to Cloud 3?
Bridge to Cloud 3 is a three‑year, non‑cancellable subscription offer that provides a 30 percent discount on eligible Dynamics 365 online licences when purchased through a partner‑led Cloud Solution Provider New Commerce Experience (CSP NCE) agreement.
The promotion is aimed at organisations that already own Dynamics on‑premise perpetual licences, including Dynamics NAV, Dynamics GP, Dynamics AX, and Dynamics SL, and are ready to move to cloud equivalents such as Business Central.
Why Bridge to Cloud 3 Matters
A key benefit of Bridge to Cloud 3 is the continuation of Dual Access Rights. This allows organisations to continue running and upgrading their on‑premise systems while adopting Dynamics 365 online in parallel. This phased approach significantly reduces risk, avoids forced cutovers, and gives businesses the flexibility to migrate at a pace that suits their operations.
The promotion runs until 31st December 2027, making this a time‑bound opportunity for organisations that want to modernise while managing cost and disruption effectively.
Microsoft’s Direction of Travel
Microsoft has been steadily reducing its investment in locally installed business software in favour of cloud‑based services. Dynamics 365 Business Central online receives continuous feature enhancements, security updates, and regulatory changes, delivered automatically through Microsoft’s release wave model.
Two major release waves are delivered each year, supported by regular service updates. This ensures cloud customers always remain on a supported, secure, and feature‑rich version of the platform without the disruption and cost associated with traditional upgrade projects.
Why Move Business Central to the Cloud?
Security and Compliance
Microsoft continues to invest heavily in security across the Dynamics 365 platform. Business Central online benefits from enterprise‑grade identity management, encryption, and compliance tooling, all hosted within Microsoft’s secure data centres. Continuous updates help ensure customers remain protected against emerging threats.
A Centralised, Connected Platform
Running Business Central in the cloud enables closer integration with Microsoft 365, Power BI, and the wider Dynamics 365 ecosystem. It also provides access to a broad range of third‑party extensions through Microsoft AppSource, allowing functionality to be extended without complex custom development.
Continuous Updates Without Upgrade Projects
Business Central online receives monthly service updates and two major release waves each year. New features and improvements are deployed automatically, removing the need for costly and disruptive upgrade projects while ensuring the system evolves alongside business needs.
Reduced IT Overhead and Predictable Costs
Moving to Business Central online removes the need for on‑premise servers, infrastructure maintenance, and manual patching. Licensing and support are delivered through a predictable subscription model, helping organisations manage costs while freeing internal IT teams to focus on higher‑value work.
Scalability and Flexible Working
As your organisation grows, Business Central online scales with you. Users, storage, and functionality can be adjusted without major infrastructure changes. Cloud access also supports remote and hybrid working, enabling teams to collaborate securely from any location and device.
When Is the Right Time to Move?
If you are running an older version of Dynamics NAV or Business Central on‑premise, it is important to understand your system’s support status and future risk profile. Once a version reaches end of support, Microsoft no longer provides security updates or regulatory fixes.
Planning a move to the cloud before reaching this point allows time for assessment, testing, and user adoption, rather than forcing a reactive migration under pressure.
Can You Move Business Central to the Cloud?
Every cloud transition is different, but several key factors influence readiness.
Customisations
The number and complexity of customisations in your current system will impact the approach and effort required. Many customisations can be refactored for Business Central online using modern extension‑based development, although this may require additional planning.
Version and Upgrade Path
Organisations running supported on‑premise versions of Business Central can typically migrate directly to the cloud. Customers on Dynamics NAV must first upgrade to a supported on‑premise version of Business Central before moving online.
Database Size and Data Strategy
Microsoft enforces database size limits for Business Central online. This often creates an opportunity to review historical data, archive what is no longer required, and improve overall system performance.
User Experience and Change Management
Business Central online is accessed via a web client or mobile app rather than the legacy Windows client. While this offers greater flexibility, it does represent a change for users and should be supported with training and change management.
Ready to Move Business Central to the Cloud?
If you feel the time is right to explore a move to Business Central online, Synergy Technology can help guide you through the process. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Business Applications, we support organisations across the UK with cloud migrations, upgrades, and ongoing support.
Whether you are an existing Synergy Technology customer or looking for a new partner for your cloud journey, our team is happy to talk through your options and help you plan the right next step.
